Mike Garcia (politician)

Mike Garcia (politician). Michael Joseph Garcia is an American politician and former United States Navy officer serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 27th congressional district since 2020. A member of the Republican Party, he first won election in a special election to succeed Democrat Katie Hill and represents a district covering northern Los Angeles County and a portion of Ventura County. Garcia, a decorated naval aviator and former defense industry executive, is one of few Republicans to hold a House seat in heavily Democratic California.

Early life and education

Michael Joseph Garcia was born on April 24, 1976, in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of immigrant parents; his father emigrated from Mexico and his mother from Colombia. Garcia grew up in Santa Clarita and attended Hart High School, where he was a standout student and athlete. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He later earned a Master of Science in National Security Studies from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

Military and business career

Upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy, Garcia was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. He became a naval aviator, flying the F/A-18 Hornet and F-5 Tiger II as an adversary pilot. Garcia completed multiple combat deployments during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, logging over 1,400 flight hours and 30 combat missions. His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Strike Flight Air Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal. After retiring at the rank of Commander in 2018, Garcia joined the defense sector, working as a business development director for Raytheon Technologies in their Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance division.

U.S. House of Representatives

Garcia first ran for Congress in the 2020 special election triggered by the resignation of Democratic Representative Katie Hill. He defeated Democratic state Assemblywoman Christy Smith in both the special election and the subsequent regular November election for the newly numbered California's 27th congressional district. His victory flipped a seat held by Democrats and made him the first Republican to win a House seat in California since 1998. In the 118th United States Congress, Garcia serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Conference.

Political positions

Garcia is a conservative Republican who aligns with the party's mainstream on most issues. He is a strong supporter of the military and veterans' programs, advocating for increased defense spending. Garcia opposes the Affordable Care Act and has voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. He is pro-life, receiving endorsements from the Susan B. Anthony List, and supports stricter enforcement of immigration laws. On energy, he advocates for domestic production and has criticized the Biden administration's climate policies. Garcia voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results from Pennsylvania and Arizona following the January 6 Capitol attack.

Electoral history

In the May 12, 2020, special election, Garcia defeated Christy Smith with 54.9% of the vote to fill the remainder of Katie Hill's term. He faced Smith again in the November 3, 2020, general election for the full term in the 27th district, winning by a margin of 333 votes after a recount. In the 2022 election, Garcia defeated a rematch challenge from Smith by a larger margin, securing 53.4% of the vote. His district is considered competitive by the Cook Political Report and was targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the 2024 election cycle.

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from California Category:California Republicans Category:United States Naval Academy alumni Category:Georgetown University alumni